The Best MFT Short Tele -Lumix 42.5mm F1.7 Beats The Rest

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0:00 intro
0:36 disclaimer
1:06 Olympus 45mm F1.8
2:32 there are other options
3:02 #1 Sharpness
4:02 #2 Stabilizer
4:52 #3 Semi Macro
7:07 The Other Options
9:00 Tiny size wins
9:45 What's your opinion
10:01 outro
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My name is Matti Sulanto, I'm a photographer based in Helsinki Finland.
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[@mattisulanto]

Thanks everyone for leaving a comment. I’ve been on the road and not able to reply each comment individually.

[@williamdavid4823]

What a coincidence, I'm sitting here awaiting delivery of a used GX880 and a used Lumix 42.5mm, as my new street set-up. 😃

[@staszekmatusik4843]

Thank you for your honest and practical evaluation of short-telephoto objectives!

[@TRUSKY1965]

I have the two M Zuiko's 45 mm. The f1.8 and the f1.2. I usually use the less bright one because it's more portable, and it always goes in my backpack. I am completely satisfied with both, although the F1.2 belongs to another league and is extraordinary. Panasonic makes fantastic lenses, although I never tried this one. Thank you for this great video, as always, it's a pleasure.

[@MrVara411]

Fantastic video and discussion. 100% agree... the Panny 42.5mm 1.7 is a MONSTER of a lens at a ridiculously affordable price.

[@mattisulanto]

Thank you.

[@sosomelodies659]

Thanks so much. I'm shopping for this lens right now for my Lumix G100.

[@johnehman8685]

Excellent overview of the options! I have owned the Olympus 45mm and an thinking about buying the Sigma 56mm, but I agree with your assessment of the Lumix completely. Thank you for your videos!

[@Texas.rig.Scotty]

This is my next lens on my wishlist. Thank you for making my mind up 👍🏻

[@datapro007]

Hi Matti, Fun video. As you say, a lot of folks including me already own the Olympus 45mm. The two lenses are so close that I couldn't possibly justify spending any money on switching. If you're buying from scratch, well, you can't go wrong either way. Also, with IBIS, the optical stabilization doesn't deliver much if anything. Update: I forgot to mention one point. I checked the price of each lens today . The Lumix is about $300, the Olympus about $400. When I purchased my Olympus, the situation was reversed. There's certainly not a $100 difference in quality either way, so buy whichever one is substantially cheaper, unless your body doesn't have IBIS.

[@willb1242]

Agree! I love the Olympus 45, so I'm happy even if this has an advantage :) Anyway it's nice to have choices, unlike some ranges where so and so lens is clearly better than the other offering from Panasonic Olympus

[@fairymiles]

He is right, this is the best... I own a lot of lenses from panasonic and olympus for m43, and this lens is one of the 3 lens i use the most. It's 42.5mm, f1.7, has O.I.S, a small size and 37mm filter... and very sharp... The only thing i doesn't like is that this lens push the image to cool tone.

[@MichaelGerrard]

Back in 2011 I bought my first m43 camera and my first lens, the Olympus 45mm f1.8. It was my favourite lens for a long time. I even bought the macro converter for it to fix the lack of close up focus. But if I were to buy now, I would get the Pany 42.5mm f1.7. I like these lenses that are so compact, this is the real m43. The image quality is great, yet you can slip that lens in your pocket.

[@patrick8035]

The gx850, 12-32, 35-100 and this lens was my entire m4/3 kit for a while and I love it - so compact, and all three are stabilized to offset the lack of IBIS. I’ve acquired some more m4/3 gear since then, but this 42.5 is still my go-to portrait lens

[@joestrahl6980]

The lens you reviewed was the first lens that I bought after being given the GX9 with 12-32 kit lens and 2 other lens in a bundle. Agree with your praise and evluation of this light and bright lens. Also, I bought a close-up lens to screw on the front and voila it is essentially a macro lens so it becomes very multifunctionsl is such a little kit. Highly recommended.

[@dokugohikken8769]

Thank you so much for the yet another informative, as usual, video. I would say the following though.... [35mm Equivalent] Standard: 35mm or 50mm Middle telephoto: 85mm or 105mm Telephoto: 135mm or 200mm Super-telephoto: 300mm or 400mm

[@ElusiveFrame]

The price of that lens 2nd hand is also incredible. 😮 I fell in love with this lens and the focal length after using it for a while. 😀

[@MrJapanforce]

Great video of yours ,as usual. Serious and comprehensive. As for the lens, well, yes. This is one of the best portrait lens (and not only...) for MFT. Although, for being more scientific, the best portrait lens for MFT is the Nocticron Panasonic Leica 42.5mm 1.2 (awesome in everything) , the little 42.5mm 1.7 is great for those who re not professional and want to create miracles on a badget!

[@fabscams4136]

It's my favourite lens ever for m43.

[@albrechtmackenrodt6260]

Thank you for your useful review Matti. I agree with you on all points! I first bought the Olympus 45/1.8 and was quite happy with it - apart from the minimum distance which is crucial for me. When the Panasonic 42.5 came out, it was more expensive than the Oly but I bought it anyway. I also had the Olympus 75/1.8 for a while but didn’t use it too much. Because it is more expensive I sold it on eBay along with the Oly 45 and bought the Sigma 56/1.4 which is indeed excellent. I also own and use the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 Pro. For event photography in constrained spaces, sometimes shooting from the audience, I can use some variation. For a walk or when traveling I always take the 42.5/1.7 with me, along with the Oly 25/1.8 (which is a little better than its equivalent from Panasonic) and my trusted EM 10 Mark II.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

I love my Lumix 42.5mm f1.7 -- I have a Lumix G85, shoot mostly photos but occasionally video ("home movies") and this was a very good match to the camera with the stabilization options. And this lens (with a 'mist' filter) produces great outdoor family portrait shots (one/two/three subjects). And the price was definitely right! Thanks Matti!!!

[@VladimirKazan]

The same as common gear. And even with GF5 as pocket gear.

[@davep8029]

I shoot the 42.5 with my diminutive GM1. Perfect combination.

[@jensarne5773]

Nice to know. Thanks! I got the Olympus 45 but the Lumix would be nice on my GM1....

[@gordon3988]

Agreed, great choice! And unrelated, but you need to update your gear list for your new 6700!

[@doctormock1]

I've been using this lens since it first came out. This and the 20mm F1.7 are my two favorites for most of what I shoot. I love the fact that Panasonic includes a lens hood with it.

[@datapro007]

I agree - love the 20mm and use the Olympus 45mm - no hood included. I got a hood for $5 on ebay, but it is ridiculous that it isn't included.

[@janhenkins]

Hi Matti! I must say, I simply love the 45-55mm range for MFT photography. I recently looked at my stats in Darktable, and it turns out that this focal lenght range is responsible for more than 40% of all my photos. I have the Olympus 45mm you mentioned, and I do love that lens - it takes gorgeous pictures. It's one of the best lenses I have for street, but I'm more into close-up nature photography (flowers and insects) using both my G80 and GX1 bodies. The 0.5m minimum focus distance of the Olympus 45mm has always been a mild irritation for me, so I'm going to get one of these 42.5mm Pannys to play with. It could be that this will replace both my Olympus 45mm and my 7Artisans 55mm f1.2! 🙂 Thank you for a very informative video!

[@urswuergler3969]

I hear you. Never shot more pics than with the 45mm. In my case portrait lenses by Olympus using Panasonic bodies. Quality is great. For photo I prefer the slight vignetting of my F1.8 lens (when shooting fully open) since vignetting is often desired. Video? The F1.2 does an incredible job when fully open - even concerning resolution. Tested both Panasonic lenses as well - they are, of course, comparable.

[@lvca.avellino]

flawless analysis. I have the 45mm because I found it at €150, but the 42.5 would be the best choice for me too.

[@Kizarat]

I recently ordered this lens from Amazon after I noticed a flash discount on it that brought down the price to secondhand levels and it was the last one in stock lol. Can't wait to use it. Here in Canada the 42.5mm is cheaper than the Olympus 45mm when neither of them are on sale.

[@StarrysLostandFound]

This looks like an excellent prime lens to compliment the two kit lens that come with the Lumix GC85 I was think of purchasing.

[@cameraprepper7938]

The Lumix 42.5mm Lens sounds like a very good option as a compact Lens for MTF, but I still think that both Panasonic and OM Systems need to make new compact Cameras like the Lumix GX-85

[@tobiasdavid3096]

I think the 42.5mm 1.7 and the 15mm 1.7 are my most used and therefor favourite lenses.

[@Noble_r717]

This lens along with a Raynox 250 makes a very capable and lightweight portrait/macro combination for hiking

[@hoggif]

I think every telephoto has a bit advantage if stabilized (unless behaving badly for video or moving action shots like some do). Especially for handheld stabilization makes often more difference than absolute shapness (of perhaps a wobbly photo). As always, YMMV. If you use a tripod, not such a huge deal etc and IBIS can compensate the missing stabilization (while IBIS+lens stabilization can be a heaven saver)

[@noopynnus]

I agree, for MFT this is the pick if you’re playing with MFT’s strengths (I.e. video and compactness). For 85mm portraits, if you’re gonna up the ante you might as well use full frame for that

[@steveworthington930]

Never seen a bad review of the Oly 45mm, F1.8, it,s good enough for most user,s. I have the Lumix 20 mm, F1.7 and it is superb, if your a Pro and it,s your living then the high end glass can be justified, but for us snapper,s, small, lightweight etc surely in the spirit of M4/3.

[@ammadoux]

thanks so much.

[@dunnymonster]

I'm going to play devils advocate and claim the Sigma 56mm f1.4 is king of the M43 mid telephoto prime. Really nice lens 😋

[@iangrant3615]

This video arrived just when I needed it! I need a lens for my Lumix G90 or GH5s that can help me shoot video of an event where I can't get close to the action, this might work for it! Thank you :)

[@alanneilson6811]

I did wait Matti my pick is the Sigma 56mm and it is as you say a big bigger and heavier than those. I more compare it to the Olympus 75 mm it does sit somewhere in between the two focal lengths. I did think about them and almost did go for the lumix over the Olympus. 👍

[@keirwatson3570]

This was the second prime I purchased for my gx80 (after the 20mm f1.7 ii) and it stayed on my camera for the best part of a year where I use it for creative flower and garden photography. Recently, I tried the olympus 12-40mm f2.8 pro. Taking photos side by side, you couldn’t tell them apart. The olympus went back and I’m looking for a portrait/semi-macro lens to take my flower photography further, but am yet to find anything that comes close to the lumix 42.5 f1.7. It’s nearly perfect!

[@paulthomas8986]

Possibly one of the .095 lenses. Not sure which one might have the best combination of close focus and close focus image quality. That is a test I would like to see too.

[@geranimoek7410]

I have this lens and I use it both photography and video. It is very very good lens for portraid shoots and broll shoots. I prefer you use this lens with a good ND filtre.

[@jacoposcarpa6211]

Hi. I agree with what you say, for an everyday use I'll buy one of the two little ones, maybe the Panasonic is more versatile due to the OIS. I've od I've had a lot of lenses but I prefer the short telephoto ones so I had both Oly 45 and Lumix 42,5 1:1,7 (as well as Oly 75, Oly 35mm macro and Oly 60 macro) but, as I had the chance to try the Panasonic 1:1.2. I fond in love with that lens, that is not only a bit brighter (not that much, T is at least 25-30% better than the two smaller and cheaper lenses) but on my camera seems to produce a more tridimensional image, a nicer bokeh and has - this is not an impression - a color rendition of another class. More than this, when you use the pixel shift mode it pushes that technology to it's limit: better resolution, sharper and so on. On the contrary the two small lenses are much faster in focusing and on the street they look more discrete.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@talpalatnyizold]

I can't update mine. Version is 1.0 but I know there is a newer 1.4 version. But does not update mine. I make every steps on correct way as Panasonic says at their web page. Can anybody tell why?

[@thedeeprot]

🔥🔥🔥

[@Teguvas]

A good lens if you already don't have the Oly 45mm which I use a lot on my GX9

[@rebirth2526]

First, I bought XiaoYi 42.5mm f1.8 to try, I like the auto focus speed, focal length and it has macro mode but it does not have ois to use with my GF8 which cause blur images especially low light. It is light weight but plasticky built and bulkier than Olympus 45mm lenses. Later, I bought Olympus 45mm f1.8 to use with EM10 mk3, I feel the speed is quite the same but focal length feel a bit odd to me and don't like the minimum focus distance at all, therefore I go back to use XiaoYi 42.5mm the Chinese lens much more often than the Olympus 45mm. After watch your review, maybe I should get the Lumix 42.5mm later (plan to sell 45mm f1.8. I still say it is good but I rarely use it)

[@Lordvader330]

That's a good lens but I prefer the Olympus 45mm 1.2.

[@slows728]

Most people can't see the difference in bokeh, brillance and microcontrast, they are all about sharpness and size.

[@willb1242]

It's true .. the Olympus focus minimum is pretty long.

[@chuckl7713]

Is this lens better for street photography at night? The olympus has quite a bit of ghosting in certain situations as wells as the flare from pinpoint light sources seems rather unnatural.

[@mawavoy]

Thanks for the information.

[@jackoneil3933]

Thank for the good information! I bought the Olympus 45mm 1.8 about 8 years ago and it's been my least used lens after going back to Panasonic bodies So I'll have to grab the Panasonic 42.5. Btw. English plurals are confusing and often delineated by prepositions such as, "Cloves of garlic" rather than 'garlics", "Ears of corn" rather than 'Corns', 'Heads of lettuce' rather than 'lettuces' and in this case 'cloves'. You might add "garlic" to stew if less than a clove, or a 'two cloves of garlic'. Similarly, if you were photographing a plate of spaghetti, you could say "I'm photographing a 'plate of spaghetti'" or just 'spaghetti", rather than "spaghettis" as I recently heard someone say.

[@yotuberudy85]

Compared used, oly 45 as twice as cheap, oly price is almost negligible and its size negligible too, looks fancy tiny silver on my black g9

[@bamsemh1]

75mm f1.8 is more me 😊

[@th0big23]

Xiaoyi 42,5 f1,8 ?😊

[@SLLYT]

Garlic cloves.

[@AndreiAndrei-pg8eg]

That is a great lens, but there is one better, the olympus 75 mm

[@TungstenOvergaard]

Is M43 dead? I mean, having no news from Panasonic and very sad news from the sushi company that bought the Olympus camera division. And consumer hype is on FF, the pocketable options on APSC, film and even digicams.

[@user-ed1ng7vl3g]

I hope we will get g9 ii and Gx9 ii soon from Panasonic!

[@dingoeatswolf3663]

Only dead to those that don’t use it….well and truely alive elsewhere. 😁

[@j_taylor]

Ah, well. Digicams certainly are getting hype right now. My m43 camera still works well, and there are more lenses available than I could ever want or afford. So I'm not giving up yet. edit: What is the sad news about OM?

[@joestrahl6980]

Ever since mft was launched there have been people, including you, that have been predicting its imminent death. And yet the system is still here, hm. You seem to equate bringing lots of new cameras to market every year as a measure of camera system health which is ridiculous. Given the state of system camera sales - for all companies - AND that at some point the rate of improvements in new cameras vs recent versions is marginal we may have reached something like "peak camera." Or will reach that point soon.

[@datapro007]

Since I'm invested in it, I'll shoot M43 until my camera bodies are shot, if that ever happens. I don't use the mechanical shutter. That said, if I were a new buyer, M43 wouldn't be my choice.

[@GallicGarlic]

Lumix 42.5 f/1.7 sharper than Olympus 45 f/1.8?!? Maybe 🤔.. But Bokeh .. is this not nicer with the Olympus?!? 2 good lenses for sure

[@antraxuran9]

yeah, if i remember correctly lumix one has some cateye-ing!

[@nicholassmith7723]

@@antraxuran9 Honestly cat eye bokeh has never bothered me, a lot of vintage lenses have that same effect. Onion rings or ghosting is a bigger issue for me personally.

[@oalban2]

I agree. I owned both.